The birthplace of St. Nicholas, Patara had been a thriving trade center on the southwest of Lycia. The city is mentioned as one of the most important cities of Lycia by ancient writers. This importance is also visible regarding the weight of the city within the Lycian League of cities where it participated with three votes. The spawning ground Caretta Caretta, the beach is one of the most beautiful ones in Turkey.
What to See in Patara
- The Assembly Hall (Bouleuterion): the parliament of the Lycian League, restored and reopened, which is often mentioned as one of the earliest examples of a federal democracy.
- The lighthouse: one of the oldest known lighthouses in the world, built under Emperor Nero.
- The colonnaded street and the triumphal arch at the entrance of the city, and the theater half buried in the sand.
- The beach: about 18 km of golden sand and dunes, without hotels, as it is part of a protected area.
The beach is one of the most important nesting sites of the Caretta caretta sea turtle, so it is closed at night during the nesting season, from May to October, Come in the late afternoon to see the ruins in the golden light and stay for the sunset on the beach.
Patara is near Kalkan and Kaş, and it fits well into a day with Xanthos and Letoon, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, or with Kekova. See also Fethiye.
What our guests say
We appreciate your excellent care and attention to detail with all the arrangements. The whole trip was excellent. We highly recommend you and Travel Atelier.
Thanks for going the extra mile in returning my glasses that I left in the car. You made the holiday that we envisioned come true.
Every tour guide, every driver, every transfer arrangement, every itinerary, every hotel… everything was perfect. We couldn't have asked for a better first visit to Turkey.
Travel with a local team
Plan your journey with us
Tell us your dates and what you love. Your advisor replies within 24 hours with a first itinerary and a clear price.